Compost this Book. But first, check out how cool it is!

I am so full of excitement right now I could burst. I just received the first case of my new book: Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too, and I feel like a proud mama right now. A few nights ago, I had a dream that the book arrived and the pages were made out of plastic. I couldn’t believe it. So I called my editor and asked how that could have happened in a plastic-free book, and he said, “It’s not plastic; it’s nylon.” And I was all, “What? Didn’t you even read my book? Nylon is plastic!” And then I woke up and it wasn’t true. Still, I have been wondering and worrying. One commenter on Facebook wrote, “I’m assuming your publisher checked ‘no’ on the plastic shrinkwrap option on the book’s print bid…” and that started me fretting all over again. What if there was some accident or oversight and the books were sent shrink-wrapped in plastic? What a nightmare that would be.

So, when I got home yesterday and found that my case of books had arrived, I opened it with trembling hands. Today, I re-enacted that moment and took a ton of pictures so you can experience it with me. I did it because 1) I’m giddy with excitement but also, and more importantly 2) I’m all about transparency. If I expect companies to reveal all the materials used in their products, I have to do the same, right?

Okay, so the box itself had plastic tape and a plastic packing slip pouch. I’ll see if I can get them to change this. At the very least, I hope I can get them to skip the packing slip. I don’t need it since they already emailed me an invoice.

Opening the flaps, I see a protective piece of cardboard. No plastic so far…

Under the cardboard, bare books. No shrink wrap! Whew.

Under each book, a thin sheet of paper and cardboard dividers between the books.

As I’ve mentioned before, the book itself was manufactured without plastic materials. But did I tell you how cool they made the cover? See the raised writing that makes the plastic label look like real Dymo tape?

The design is pressed into the book jacket. It’s really not plastic.

So, what does a plastic-free book look like under the jacket? The cover is bare, uncoated, unprinted cardboard. The spine is bare. The glue is non-plastic.

The pages are sewn together with cotton thread. Seriously, you could compost this book at the end of its life.

So now, let’s take a little tour through the book itself. Each chapter is full of color photos and personal stories.

There are green tip boxes throughout the book, and many of the tips were contributed by readers of this blog. If I emailed you about using your tip in the book, it’s in there. But you’ll have to find it. :-)

There is a ton of practical advice, organized in a way that is much easier to navigate than the five-years worth of posts on this blog.

And new information, such as the pros and cons of bio-plastic, how to tell the legit ones from the scams, and what certifications to look for.

Or how about the benefits and drawbacks of recycling and whether it really does save energy or not. Come with me as I tour a recycling facility and show you what it’s like inside.

Each chapter contains one or more profiles of plastic-free heroes — people who inspire me to go beyond personal actions to create change on a wider scale. A few of the people you may know or recognize. But I’m betting there are some that will surprise you.

Knowing that I don’t have all the answers and that what is available to you will vary depending on where you live, I have included lists of Questions to Ask at the end of many chapters to help you figure out the best option when confronted with a plastic dilemma. These are the questions I ask myself.

Some chapters contain worksheets for tracking your changes. Keep in mind that the main advice is: Don’t try to do this all at once!

But like I said, the book is not just all resources and information and worksheets. There are a lot of personal stories, including some that are somewhat embarrassing. Yep, I’m all about the full disclosure.

Every chapter ends with an Action Item Checklist that summarizes all the steps discussed in the chapter, from beginning personal changes to bigger, citizen actions.

And at the back are pages and pages of notes to back up the statements I make.

Look! It’s me on a book cover. Seriously, I am sitting here pinching myself right now.

The book is available everywhere books are sold. (Online, as well as brick and mortar stores.) And I’m personally selling signed copies to benefit the Plastic Pollution Coalition or Women’s Voices for the Earth. Here is how to place an order.

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I think what you've done and are continuing to do is great. You're getting the important message of taking care of this planet, beloved to some of us, to many out there.

I've been mindful of not getting plastic bags and have been using reusable bags for the last 6 years. In the beginning, when I'd bring in my own bags, even if I'd occasionally squirm because of the strange looks I'd get, I always reassured myself I was doing the responsible thing.

The county I live in has now passed a no-plastic-bag regulation on grocery stores starting Jan 2013 and I feel like a free bird in my own land! Not many understand my joy, but it doesn't matter. I feel like the planet is rejoicing with me each time each of us makes a responsible choice and that makes me feel good.

I hope your book reaches out far and wide and gets more and more people to make the responsible choice for themselves and the planet we all share.

[...] And just when you thought this book couldn’t get any cooler? It does – it so does! In keeping in line with her commitment to go plastic-free, Beth made sure the entire book was manufactured without the use of plastics – ANY plastics! The cover, the spine, even the glue are all 100% plastic-free! You can literally compost the whole book! Read more about the process here. [...]

Hi Michael. Not a stupid question at all. The whole thing was actually my publisher's idea. From the moment Skyhorse Publishing accepted my proposal, they decided they would figure out a way to make the book without plastic. I am very fortunate they wanted to publish my book because other publishers might not have had the same vision.

HI JeanetteS. This is a topic I address in my book. Some things in bulk bins come in paper, some in big plastic bags, some in boxes with a plastic liner. It's all different and depends on the product. But the main point is that it's producing a lot less plastic waste than smaller sizes of the same products. There is one store called in.gredients, which I also mention in the book, that is opening in Texas that plans to get the packaging out of the entire supply chain. Hopefully this will be a model for other stores to follow.

Hi! My sister and I just ordered your book and can't wait for it to come! Quick question that has be gnawing at me: How does the product come packaged that is put in a bulk bin? Have you answered this question before? Just curious if it is a large plastic bag in a box that takes the product from the manufacturer to the store.

It is wonderful that there's people like you who really want to fight for this! You really impress me! Me and my boyfriend have recently made a project about plastic. Our goal is to spread the knowledge about issues regarding plastic-consumption. We have a webpage in swedish where visitors can read facts about how the plastic affects our environment and our health. We also have some advices of how to use less plastic in an every-day life. I would really like to read your book! Do you have any idea of how much it would cost to send it to Sweden?

I just ordered my copy moments ago on B&N ( but only because I had a gift card.....support your local booksellers!!! Purchase books through Indiebound.org ) Oh the contradiction of purchasing this fantastic book with a plastic gift card that cannot be reused.

The gift card was for $25 and I refused to let any of it go to waste. So the other book I purchased (used) was Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture.

Hi Christine. I totally appreciate this point, but let me tell you my reasoning. First, not everyone has an e-reader, and I don't want to encourage people to buy a plastic device if they don't already have one. Not everyone wants to read books electronically, and the purpose of my book is to reach as many people as possible with the message of plastic-free living. I would eliminate a ton of potential readers/future activists if I limited my information to people who want to read -books. And finally, this book will be available in major bookstores, so people who don't read blogs or spend much time online may pick it up and read it.As for the environmental costs, both options have environmental consequences. I just read an article on Treehugger, I believe, discussing how so many data centers are still powered by coal and other polluting energy sources. So I'm not convinced that downloading books is necessarily better than buying physical books. (By the way, it's printed on recycled paper.)

And finally, in my plastic-free guide, I think I was referring to trash bags, right? I know you're not comparing my book to a single-use trash bag, right? :-) My comment about composting it notwithstanding, I am hoping it will last a long time and be read and referred to over and over again.

I'm excited about your book, but to be honest, I was surprised that you opted to have an actual book produced, given the resources it would consume. Even if there is no plastic, there is paper, and energy required to create the book. I would have thought it would simply be available as an e-book, or for purchase on a kindle. A direct quote from your plastic-free guide on this blog regarding trash disposal: "Not even paper is an option for us, since paper requires trees and energy to make."

I'm reading the Kindle edition now, and I love it. Even though I've been reading your blog for five years, the organization of the book makes the information you've worked to gather much more accessible. The hardcover edition looks awesome and I have a little regret that I'm in a minimalist belongings phase of my life.

I'm reading the Kindle edition now, and I love it. Even though I've been reading your blog for five years, the organization of the book makes the information you've worked to gather much more accessible. The hardcover edition looks awesome and I have a little regret that I'm in a minimalist belongings phase of my life.

That dream is laying it all out for you. Your next project is to be a MOVIE - and it will be called - IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - IN PLASTIC

I won't go on with the plot details, since that is indicated by the nature of the dream...just remember the parts that are scariest and it will assure scared audiences too. Think of what the flick THE BLOB did for Steve McQueen's career!

If you think the book jacket blurb and picture are a thrill, how about your name on the big screen?

That dream is laying it all out for you. Your next project is to be a MOVIE - and it will be called - IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE - IN PLASTIC

I won't go on with the plot details, since that is indicated by the nature of the dream...just remember the parts that are scariest and it will assure scared audiences too. Think of what the flick THE BLOB did for Steve McQueen's career!

If you think the book jacket blurb and picture are a thrill, how about your name on the big screen?

Hi Michael. Not a stupid question at all. The whole thing was actually my publisher's idea. From the moment Skyhorse Publishing accepted my proposal, they decided they would figure out a way to make the book without plastic. I am very fortunate they wanted to publish my book because other publishers might not have had the same vision.

HI JeanetteS. This is a topic I address in my book. Some things in bulk bins come in paper, some in big plastic bags, some in boxes with a plastic liner. It's all different and depends on the product. But the main point is that it's producing a lot less plastic waste than smaller sizes of the same products. There is one store called in.gredients, which I also mention in the book, that is opening in Texas that plans to get the packaging out of the entire supply chain. Hopefully this will be a model for other stores to follow.

Hi Christine. I totally appreciate this point, but let me tell you my reasoning. First, not everyone has an e-reader, and I don't want to encourage people to buy a plastic device if they don't already have one. Not everyone wants to read books electronically, and the purpose of my book is to reach as many people as possible with the message of plastic-free living. I would eliminate a ton of potential readers/future activists if I limited my information to people who want to read -books. And finally, this book will be available in major bookstores, so people who don't read blogs or spend much time online may pick it up and read it.As for the environmental costs, both options have environmental consequences. I just read an article on Treehugger, I believe, discussing how so many data centers are still powered by coal and other polluting energy sources. So I'm not convinced that downloading books is necessarily better than buying physical books. (By the way, it's printed on recycled paper.)

And finally, in my plastic-free guide, I think I was referring to trash bags, right? I know you're not comparing my book to a single-use trash bag, right? :-) My comment about composting it notwithstanding, I am hoping it will last a long time and be read and referred to over and over again.

@delona Thanks for the great feedback. That was exactly my intention. Would you consider posting your comment on Amazon and giving 5 stars? I totally understand about not wanting to accumulate more things. Maybe you can request it from the library just to have a look at it.

@delona Thanks for the great feedback. That was exactly my intention. Would you consider posting your comment on Amazon and giving 5 stars? I totally understand about not wanting to accumulate more things. Maybe you can request it from the library just to have a look at it.

@BethTerry Thanks Beth. I appreciate your explanation, and understand the issues you had to weigh out when making the decision. You are right in that your message will have the opportunity to reach many people, including many new people who may have never seen your blog, and just see your book while browsing. I hope everyone who purchases the book in-store opts to forego a plastic bag! It would be cool to strike up a deal with major book chains to somehow ensure no plastic bags are given with the book, though I don't know how that would work.

Interesting about the environmental costs of using our technology. I could certainly believe that.....

I hope that your book will carry on your message for generations to come. All the best!

[…] And just when you thought this book couldn’t get any cooler? It does – it so does! In keeping in line with her commitment to go plastic-free, Beth made sure the entire book was manufactured without the use of plastics – ANY plastics! The cover, the spine, even the glue are all 100% plastic-free! You can literally compost the whole book! Read more about the process here. […]

Read the Book

Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too: available NOW in beautiful 4-color hard cover. Or download Digital or Audio version (read by Beth Terry).